Chapter 240: The Zunzhe

At these words, the two helmsmen of the Tianxia Alliance in Yuanzhou were instantly shaken to their cores.

Though their positions within the Alliance were not low, they had never heard any rumor that their own Alliance had allied with the Taiyin Yuan Sect and the Taiyan Sword Sect to strike at Luoshen Peak.

Now hearing this from the Silver Moon Sword Lord, they immediately realized this must be a secret known only to the Alliance's high echelons.

For a moment, the two exchanged glances, both eyes flickering with an unusual hue.

Logically, they dared not eavesdrop on such secrets—but given the unusual circumstances of Luoshen Peak, perhaps it was not so dangerous.

At this, the Three Yin Elders let out a cold snort, yet clearly feared the white-robed elder of the Taiyan Sword Sect, and said no more.

But the white-robed elder gently stroked his beard, his gaze sweeping over the Three Yin Elders and the two Tianxia Alliance helmsmen, then suddenly spoke:

"Times are no longer what they were. I am now somewhat curious—after this battle between Luoshen Peak and the Da Li Court, do you intend to kick a man when he's down and strike Luoshen Peak?"

Hearing this, the Three Yin Elders glanced at the white-robed elder; one black-robed elder spoke with a sinister tone:

"Oh? Does the Taiyan Sword Sect have an interest?"

He then sneered again and added:

"But even if you do, you'll have to wait until Luoshen Peak and the Da Li Court have finished their fight."

At this, another elder among the Three Yin Elders let out a cold snort, his voice icy as he spoke:

"When the time comes, what is Luoshen Peak? We don't even fear the Da Li Court."

At these words, the mountaintop fell utterly silent; the other two elders among the Three Yin Elders immediately shot the speaker a reproachful look, clearly blaming him for speaking out of turn.

The two Tianxia Alliance helmsmen subtly lowered their heads, saying nothing—this was not a topic they could discuss.

As for the white-robed elder, his eyes flickered, as if lost in thought.

Just then, one of the Three Yin Elders shifted his gaze, suddenly turning his head toward the direction of Bailian City.

The others swiftly followed suit.

In the distant darkness at the end of the mountain range, a flame had quietly risen.

This flame was clearly different from the earlier signal—it surged skyward like molten lava from a volcano, as if intent on burning through the entire cloud layer at the horizon.

Soon, the sea of clouds above Bailian City turned a blazing crimson, like twilight fireclouds, visible clearly across a hundred li around Luoshen Peak.

"That is…"

The two Tianxia Alliance helmsmen were stunned by the scene in the distant sky.

They could guess someone from Bailian City had acted—but such terrifying power and technique seemed beyond human capability.

They had seen powerful martial artists before; they had even been fortunate enough to witness the move of the Tianxia Alliance's Grand Alliance leader, that young martial genius who had ascended to Fifth Vice-Leader.

His martial cultivation was unfathomable, inspiring awe, even shaking their own martial hearts.

Yet even he had never wielded such a terrifying technique—commanding torrents of flame to burn the heavens.

At this moment, both men could not help but wonder: could this truly be done by a human?

At this, the Three Yin Elders and the white-robed elder all changed expression drastically.

Yet with their experience, they had clearly begun to recognize the identity of the one who had acted at Luoshen Peak.

"Master Chihuo!"

One of the Three Yin Elders murmured softly.

His shadowed eyes reflected the fiery clouds against the dark sky; his whole being trembled with unrest, even revealing a trace of fear.

The two Tianxia Alliance helmsmen slowly came to their senses; they exchanged glances, unable to suppress their curiosity, and could not help but ask:

"Elder, who is Master Chihuo? Why have we never heard his name in the martial world before?"

Hearing this, the Three Yin Elders glanced at them, then turned back to the sky, offering no explanation.

Seeing this, their eyes darkened, but they could only fall silent, daring not to press further.

Yet just then, the white-robed elder nearby gazed into the distance and spoke slowly:

"It's normal you've never heard of Master Chihuo—he has never walked the martial world, and before now, he has never once fought. Even I learned of his identity only from my master's lips."

Hearing this, the two Tianxia Alliance helmsmen immediately changed expression and bowed deeply:

"Please, Silver Moon Sword Lord Elder, enlighten us?"

The white-robed elder stared toward Bailian City in the night, where the entire sky had become a roaring sea of fire.

His eyes were filled with awe; after a long silence, he spoke:

"According to my master, besides the Zhang Sect, Luoshen Peak has four Zunzhe guarding it—these are the true foundation of Luoshen Peak."

"Moreover, these four Zunzhe are no ordinary martial artists; not only are their martial cultivations supreme, they also seem to wield some unknown, strange power—able to control wind, fire, rock, and more."

At this, the white-robed elder sighed heavily and shook his head:

"I had thought my master exaggerated when he told me this—but now, seeing it with my own eyes, I truly know: such gifted beings truly exist in this world."

At this, one of the Three Yin Elders, gazing at the sky, suddenly spoke:

"No wonder our Sect Master and the Grand Elders hold Luoshen Peak in such high regard—these Zunzhe possess such extraordinary abilities; even if their martial cultivations surpass them, they would still struggle to stand against them."

At these words, the mountaintop fell utterly silent.

The two Tianxia Alliance helmsmen were stunned by the white-robed elder's words; they stopped asking questions, instead fixing their eyes on the burning clouds above, their expressions growing ever more horrified.

At this, one of the Three Yin Elders spoke coldly:

"I wonder which ancient relic the Da Li Court has sent this time—if they cannot overpower Master Chihuo with martial cultivation, this mission is certain death."

Previously, they had hoped the Da Li Court and Luoshen Peak would fight to mutual ruin.

But now, having witnessed Master Chihuo's power, they held no hope left.

After all, Luoshen Peak still has three other Zunzhe like this—how many ancient relics must the Da Li Court summon from its imperial palace to even match these four Zunzhe?

Even if Emperor Yuanwu made his utmost resolve to eradicate Luoshen Peak, he could never empty the capital of Da Li to send so many experts.

The white-robed elder sighed and said:

"Luoshen Peak has hidden itself well—these four Zunzhe have never fought, so no one ever knew their true strength."

"After this battle, the fame of Fallen God Peak shall rise even higher!"

(End of this chapter)